Personally I would continue with the dark laminate for the basement floor as well so everything reads as one plane thus visually opening up the space.

I would go with Tile to break it up a bit and add some visual interest!

Thanks guys - we actually started laminating it but there are two bedrooms and both of them are also laminated as well as a second hallway.....so we thought the entire basement might look too overdone with the laminate and it might be nice to add some visual interest...so I'm thinking of leaning towards Alder and Tweed's suggestion. Now - which tile to pick? I want something that will flow nicely into the laminate but contrast as well.....thoughts?

I'm thinking a dark grey porcelain tile like the one below.....any thoughts? Will it be too dark for the basement?